This article is sponsored by BetterHelp, the world’s largest professional therapy platform, done online.  You think you may be struggling with anxiety, but you’re not completely sure. This is where most people start getting curious about everything from their symptoms to the different types of treatment that could help them manage them.  Especially since there are so many types of anxiety — from generalized anxiety to postpartum anxiety — wanting to lean on an expert makes sense.  Melissa Hummelt, LPCC, is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with a clinical focus on CBT, and the Senior Clinical Operations...

Orgasm. The word alone can cause some women anxiety. For others, it’s an immediate excitement. More often than not, in media — films, television shows, etc — women orgasm easily, euphorically, and intensely.  The truth is, however, that orgasms come in all different forms. They vary in intensity and length depending on the type of stimulation and the stimulated spot in the body.  Let’s talk about all things vaginal orgasms: how common they are, how they occur, what they are, and what they look like for most women. We’ll also share some other ways women can...

If you’re old enough to get an annual gynecological exam, then you’re probably already familiar with Pap smears. The Pap test (this term can be used interchangeably with “Pap smear”) is commonly conducted at a gynecological checkup, and is “primarily a screening test for abnormal cells of the cervix, and also HPV (human papillomavirus),” says Dorothy Bestoyong, DO, an OB/GYN based in Orlando, Florida.  During a Pap smear, the doctor will use a metal or plastic instrument called a speculum to look inside your vagina and to reach the cervix. The doctor then collects a few...

Periods can be a real pain — literally and figuratively. What’s worse is pain before your period even decides to show up! But did you know that this pre-period pain may be one of the key signs of endometriosis?  The World Health Organization (WHO) says about 10% of women, or around 190 million, are affected by endometriosis. However, Dr. Mona Orady, MD, a gynecologic surgeon and endometriosis expert, suggests the condition might be even more prevalent. Although endometriosis is common, figuring out if you have it isn’t as simple. On average, it takes 7 to 9...

You’ve probably already been going for your annual OB/GYN appointment for years now, and are used to getting your pap smear and even a breast exam in your gyno’s office. But as time goes on, it’s important to also see a radiologist to get a more detailed look at your breast health.  One way to take preventative breast healthcare into your own hands is to schedule mammograms as soon as you’re eligible. What’s the right age to get your first mammogram? And if you’re worried about family history, a specific gene, or another factor that could...

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Anytime someone gets pregnant in the movies or on TV, the first thing they’re usually told is that they need to start taking prenatal multivitamins. In the 2007 Oscar-nominated film Juno, for example, as soon as Elliot Page’s character, Juno MacGuff, drops the bombshell that she’s pregnant, her stepmom – played by Allison Janney – leaps into action, announcing that the teen needs, you guessed it, prenatal multivitamins.  Okay, understood, prenatal multivitamins are important during pregnancy. Your physician may even recommend taking one while you’re still trying to conceive. But what exactly makes a “prenatal” different...

About 1 in 10 people in the U.S. have the hormonal condition polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Given its prevalence, there are thousands of blogs, forums, and social media accounts that share what they think is the best option for treatment. One question that pops up a lot? How effective hysterectomies can be for PCOS. Hysterectomy is one of the most common surgeries for people with uteruses in the U.S. But unlike some other treatment options, hysterectomies make pregnancy impossible. So, for those of us who want kids, the surgery may not be the right move. Still…...

Vibrators are one of the most well-known sex toys for good reason. When your hand or even your partner just isn’t cutting it — or simply when you feel like it — vibrators are always up for the challenge.  Vibrators are also a pretty powerful form of self-care. It’s just you and a handy sidekick, figuring out what feels good and doing more of it.  How to use a vibrator: A beginner's guide With so many vibrators to choose from and countless ways to use them, getting started may feel a bit daunting. Below are 10...

So you and your partner decided to pull the goalie — congrats! You’re one step closer to bringing a baby into this world. But with each month of trying to conceive with no success, the pressure builds, and so does your checklist. Track ovulation, add prenatals, and throw in some CoQ10. Replace plastic containers in the kitchen. Repeat.  Before putting more pressure on yourself, it’s time to look at the other half of the equation: your male partner’s fertility status. Many factors affect how well your male partner performs, and marijuana use is a big one....